Carlin council advances two ordinances on property maintenance and RVs, tables electric‑fence proposal

On Nov. 22 the Carlin City Council advanced two proposed code changes and tabled a third for additional review.

Ordinance 258 would add a discontinuance provision to Title 10, Chapter 1, Section 3, preventing certain nonconforming uses from restarting after one year of vacancy and authorizing civil fines for continuing violations. Vice Mayor Margaret Johnston read the proposed language aloud, explaining that if "said properties remains unoccupied by an unconforming use for a period of one year" the nonconforming use could not be reestablished; the measure also allows civil fines up to $500 per day after notice.

Ordinance 259 would add Chapter 4 to Title 10 to regulate non‑transient residential use of recreational vehicles and shelters, distinguishing transient stays (under 30 days) from more permanent setups and imposing setup and safety requirements. City Manager Madison Aviles told the Council the chapter responds to safety concerns — electrical, gas, water and waste disposal — and is intended to ensure safe, livable conditions where RVs are used long‑term.

Vice Mayor Johnston requested Ordinance 260, which would permit electric fencing in the Rural and Residential Farming zone, be delayed so staff could gather more technical detail (for example, on pulsing fences and voltage limits) and present it to the Planning Board. The Council voted to table Ordinance 260.

Both Ordinance 258 and Ordinance 259 were forwarded to a second reading; Ordinance 260 was tabled for further review and Planning Board input.